Individual Project

LAWS70600 Individual Project 60 Full year Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Joseph Lee Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 30.0 This unit comprises two elements: research skills and individual project.1. Research skills:This first element of the course explores a range of legal research methods. It will help students develop research skills in law and legally related fields. At the end of this course, students will be able to understand how to carry out research in law. This course will prepare students to choose a research topic and write a successful research proposal. It will also prepare students to effectively plan, draft, write, and finish their individual project i.e. dissertation. Students will learn about different research methodologies and how to choose the right methodology for their research. They will also learn about plagiarism and proper referencing techniques i.e. research ethics. Finally, this course will help students understand how to critically analyse instead of describing when writing their research papers.5 sessions:1. General introduction to individual project, supervision, and selecting a research topic2. Research methodologies3. Literature Review4. Critical analysis5. Research EthicsThis will be assessed by submitting a research plan (700 words, summative assessment 10%).2. Independent and Individual ProjectIn the second element (June to September), students will carry out their own independent individual project under supervision with an assigned supervisor. They will submit a 5,000 written assignment (60%) and will submit a recorded video presentation with poster or PPt based on their findings of the project (30%).  This unit comprises two elements: research skills and individual project.1. Research skills:This first element of the course explores a range of legal research methods. It will help students develop research skills in law and legally related fields. At the end of this course, students will be able to understand how to carry out research in law. This course will prepare students to choose a research topic and write a successful research proposal. It will also prepare students to effectively plan, draft, write, and finish their individual project i.e. dissertation. Students will learn about different research methodologies and how to choose the right methodology for their research. They will also learn about plagiarism and proper referencing techniques i.e. research ethics. Finally, this course will help students understand how to critically analyse instead of describing when writing their research papers.5 sessions:1. General introduction to individual project, supervision, and selecting a research topic2. Research methodologies3. Literature Review4. Critical analysis5. Research EthicsThis will be assessed by submitting a research plan (700 words, summative assessment 10%).2. Independent and Individual ProjectIn the second element (June to September), students will carry out their own independent individual project under supervision with an assigned supervisor. They will submit a 5,000 written assignment (60%) and will submit a recorded video presentation with poster or PPt based on their findings of the project (30%). Endow students with the necessary research skills to autonomously continue to expend, sharpen and update the knowledge of commercial and technology law after the completion of the programme.Develop knowledgeable, intellectually inquiring and independent-minded graduates who are able to reflect on their own learning and value life-long learning Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different research methodologies in law and legally related fieldsDemonstrate the ability to choose research methodologies appropriate to research aimsDemonstrate knowledge of plagiarism and how to avoid it; knowledge of different referencing stylesDemonstrate an understanding of the difference between critical writing and descriptive writingDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the range of mechanisms used to engage with qualitative research methods in post-graduate study. Demonstrate advanced skills of reasoning, evaluation, analysis, critical thinking, and synthesis of complex topical issues, both orally and in writing in a structured and well substantiated argument Demonstrate a critical understanding of the ethical concerns around conducting and making use of research results and outcomes. Demonstrate independent organisation of their research and learning, and an ability to reflect upon feedback provided on their learningDemonstrate and develop organisational skills in general, such as effectively managing their life and workload when they have multiple commitmentsDemonstrate public speaking and presentation skillsUse appropriate communication at an advanced level to find information and to explain, debate, and present highly complex arguments, proposals and ideas. Demonstrate advanced research skills, including retrieving up to date and relevant articles and texts, using digital resourcesDevelop excellent time management skills as most of them will be doing this part time degree alongside their other commitmentsDemonstrate excellent writing skills through writing high quality academic research papersDemonstrate time managementDemonstrate initiative and personal responsibility in identifying and integrating relevant professional literature to enhance and support advanced level study Students’ learning for the taught element of this course unit is 100% online. There will be a combination of online materials provided that students must engage with, including podcasts, videos, lectures and interviews. Students will be able to complete diverse online tasks to monitor and evidence their achievement of the learning objectives. Students will also learn through engaging in directed and independent wider reading. Whilst the majority of this unit will be accessible in an asynchronous manner increasing the agility and flexibility of learning, there will be opportunities to interact with Unit leads and peers during synchronous teaching sessions. We will use online tools to facilitate peer-peer interaction and small group activities.The course will make full use of eLearning and online technology. The development of the course will be supported by eLearning technologists. There will be a combination of online materials provided that students must engage with, including podcasts, videos, lectures, and interviews. To this end, the Blackboard site will be populated with a range of learning materials, such as (but not limited to): embedded videos/lectures, interactive activities (eg. case excerpts and writing prompts), reading lists, links to e-media resources and podcasts (interviews with academics in the area). Students will be able to complete diverse online tasks to monitor and evidence their achievement of the learning objectives. There will be asynchronous activities for students to complete in their own time and fortnightly synchronous sessions. Whilst the majority of this unit will be accessible in an asynchronous manner increasing the agility and flexibility of learning, there will be opportunities to interact with Unit leads and peers during synchronous sessions. These seminars will discuss independent work set in advance, and encourage discussion and feedback. There will be an emphasis on independent research and argument-building, with students building up a body of notes from their reading as the course unfolds to rely on when completing assessments. Students will also learn through engaging in directed and independent wider reading. There will be office hours with teaching staff where students can drop in(online) and ask questions, a discussion board where students can discuss content with staff and each other, and students will be encouraged to form study groups that regularly meet to encourage a social aspect to the course and to discuss legal issues. In this respect, online tools will be used to facilitate peer-peer interaction and small group activities.  0 Other 10% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 60% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 30% Bryman, A., Social Research Methods (OUP, Oxford, 5th edition, 2015)Holland, J. & Webb, J., Learning Legal Rules: A Student’s Guide to Legal Method and Reasoning (OUP, Oxford, 8th edition) Booth, W.C., Colmb, G.G. & Williams, J.M., The Craft of Research (University of Chicago Press, 3rd edition, 2008)Neuman, W., Social Research Methods: International Edition (Pearson, 7th edition, 2013)McConville, M. & Wing Hang Chui (eds), Research Methods for Law (Edinburgh University Press, 2007) 0 0 0